Secure Digital Cashless Transactions with Sequence Diagrams and Spatial Circuits to Enhance the Information Assurance and Security Education

Abstract

Often students have difficulties mastering cryptographic algorithms. For some time we have been developing with methods for introducing important security concepts for both undergraduate and graduate students in Information Systems, Computer Science and Engineering students. To achieve this goal, Sequence diagrams and spatial circuit derivation from equations are introduced to students. Sequence diagrams represent progression of events with time. They learn system security concepts more effectively if they know how to transform equations and high level programming language constructs into spatial circuits or special purpose hardware. This paper describes an active learning module developed to help students understand secure protocols, algorithms and modeling web applications to prevent attacks and both software and hardware implementations related to encryption. These course materials can also be used in computer organization and architecture classes to help students understand and develop special purpose circuitry for cryptographic algorithms.